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A simple and delicious Italian Almond Cake Recipe that’s easy to make and naturally gluten-free with almond flour. This cake is soft with a moist crumb and a delicious almond and lemon flavor. Great for any occasion.
You will also love Amaretti cookies (Italian almond cookies).
Why you’ll love this recipe
You’ll love this torta di mandorle (almond cake) for its delightful combination of rich almond flavor and moist, fluffy texture. The almond flour provides a distinct nuttiness, while the addition of lemon zest adds a refreshing citrus note.
A great addition to a holiday meal, or an elegant dessert served with a cup of coffee or tea. Try these next: Olive Oil Cake, Italian Apple Cake, Easy Carrot Cake Recipe, Ricotta Cake, Chocolate Chip Cake, Butter Cake, and Sardinian Pardulas Recipe (Ricotta Cakes). You can also pair this recipe with our Ulitmate Nutella Milkshake!
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This Italian almond flour cake is made without all-purpose flour for an authentic and simple Italian almond torte recipe. It’s an easy recipe you can whip up on a whim.
- Almond Flour: Ground almonds that add a rich, nutty flavor and a moist texture to the cake. Almond flour also makes the cake gluten-free.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness to the cake, balancing the nutty flavors of the almond flour.
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise and gives it a light, fluffy texture.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake by balancing the sweetness and adding a subtle savory note.
- Eggs (Separated): Separating the eggs allows you to incorporate air into the batter. Egg yolks contribute richness, while whipped egg whites add lightness.
- Olive oil: Adds moisture and helps achieve a smooth batter.
- Almond Extract: Enhances the flavor profile with a hint of almond sweetness.
- Lemon Zest: Grated outer peel of a lemon that imparts a citrusy, bright flavor to the cake, complementing the almonds.
- Sliced Almonds (for topping): Provide a crunchy texture and a visually appealing finish to the cake.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Variations
- Orange Blossom Almond Cake: Replace the lemon zest with orange zest and add a few drops of orange blossom water to infuse a fragrant, citrusy aroma into the cake.
- Cardamom and Rose Almond Cake: Add ground cardamom to the dry ingredients for a warm, aromatic twist. You can also include a hint of rose water for a floral note.
How To Make Almond Cake
For the full printable recipe, go to the bottom of the blog post.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan, or springform pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and lemon zest until thick, creamy, and pale yellow in color. Use an electric mixer at medium speed. Add the oil and almond extract to the egg yolks and mix well.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until combined.
In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture.
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula until no white streaks remain.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle sliced almonds evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake cake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once cooled, you can dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve!
Equipment
These are some of my kitchen favorites:
Storage
To ensure the freshness and quality of your simple almond cake, it’s essential to store it properly. Here’s a guide on how to store the cake:
- Room Temperature:
- The cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, especially if your kitchen is relatively cool. Keep it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
- Refrigeration:
- For longer storage, refrigerate the almond cake. Place it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the refrigerator. The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing:
- If you want to store the almond cake for an extended period, consider freezing it. Wrap the completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label the package with the date for reference. The cake can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Thawing:
- When ready to enjoy the frozen cake, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the cake’s texture and prevents condensation.
- Reheating (if desired):
- If you prefer serving the almond cake warm, you can reheat individual slices in the microwave or warm them in a preheated oven for a few minutes. Be cautious not to overheat to avoid drying out the cake.
This cake pairs well with a dollop of whipped cream or fresh strawberries. Another flourless recipe you’ll love – chocolate torte!
Top tips for best results
- Use High-Quality Almond Flour: Choose a good-quality almond flour for a richer flavor and smoother texture in your cake.
- Separate Eggs Carefully: When separating eggs, ensure no traces of egg yolk are in the egg whites, as this can affect the ability to whip the whites into stiff peaks.
- Whip Egg Whites to Stiff Peaks: Whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. This step adds lightness and a fluffy texture to the cake.
- Incorporate Air Into Batter: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter to incorporate air, contributing to the cake’s light and airy structure.
- Properly Grease and Line the Pan: Grease the cake pan thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease in removing the cake.
- Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. The toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
FAQ’s
Yes, the cake can be made ahead and stored. Follow proper storage instructions, and it can be refrigerated or frozen for a longer shelf life.
Thoroughly grease the pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. This helps in easy removal without sticking.
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain moisture.
Yes, wrapping individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing allows for convenient thawing and serving.
Fluff the Almond Flour: Before measuring, fluff up the almond flour with a fork or spoon. This helps prevent it from being packed down, ensuring a more accurate measurement.
Use the Spoon-and-Level Method:
Gently spoon the almond flour into the measuring cup without pressing it down.
Use the back of a knife or a straight-edged utensil to level off the excess almond flour, creating a flat surface.
More Italian Desserts
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with flourless almond cake:
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Almond Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, separated
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Sliced almonds for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan, or springform pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and lemon zest until thick, creamy, and pale yellow in color. Use an electric mixer at medium speed. Add the oil and almond extract to the egg yolks and mix well.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until combined.
- In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter ,with a rubber spatula, until no white streaks remain.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle sliced almonds evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can dust the top with powdered sugar if desired.
- Slice and serve! This cake pairs well with a dollop of whipped cream or fresh strawberries.
Notes
-
- Choose a good-quality almond flour for a richer flavor and smoother texture in your cake.
- Separate Eggs Carefully:
- When separating eggs, ensure no traces of egg yolk are in the egg whites, as this can affect the ability to whip the whites into stiff peaks.
- Whip Egg Whites to Stiff Peaks:
- Whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. This step adds lightness and a fluffy texture to the cake.
- Incorporate Air Into Batter:
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter to incorporate air, contributing to the cake’s light and airy structure.
- Evenly Distribute Lemon Zest:
- Ensure that the lemon zest is evenly distributed throughout the batter to infuse a consistent citrus flavor.
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven before baking to ensure an even and consistent rise in the cake.
- Properly Grease and Line the Pan:
- Grease the cake pan thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease in removing the cake.
- Test for Doneness:
- Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. The toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
OMG! This is so delicious and very easy to make! I made this for a women’s brunch and it was a hit! They couldn’t tell it was Gluten Free very moist and delicious! Now every time we go out everyone says to please bring the almond cake!
Love this recipe!
YAY! So happy that everyone loved this classic. It is a favorite on our home as well and love that it is GF.
This cake was light and delicious. Perfect with a bit of whipped cream! Easy recipe, I will definitely make this again.
Yes! So delicious and light, I am happy you loved it.
This recipe has gone in my favorites list. It always turns out wonderfully.
It is also very easy to make, which is a plus.
Yay! It is a great one to make (eat eat!). I am happy you love it.
Delicious! I don’t normally bake (more of a savory cook) so I tried this the other day and it was delicious! The most difficult part was cleaning out the mixing bowl between eggs steps. Not hard at all! I can’t wait to make this for company.
Side note: I just made the apple cake. It’s cooling now. I’ll review later.
You made two of my favorite cakes! The other is our pear cake, which I just enjoyed this afternoon. These are all easy cakes that also aren’t too sweet!
I would love to make this cake because I love it so much but it is a lot of hard work and I doubt if I ever get it made but I am sure gonna enjoy it because I know a place I can buy it. Thank you for this recipe.
I made this for New Year’s Eve because my husband said traditionally, they would have Italian almond cake with champagne to ring in the new year. He couldn’t wait to show his family my Torta di Mandrole in Italy! It was delicious.
Hi Elena,
i made this recipe. i found it was hard to fold the egg whites into the wet mix because the wet mix was the consistency of almond paste. Is that normal? it’s still in the oven.
thanks, Bev
Yes, the flour mixture should be thick! You have to stir in the egg whites until combined. You don’t want to mix it with an electric mixer, or it will deflate the egg whites.
I made this in a pinch today for my
OT family. I didn’t have any fresh berries so I thawed out some frozen blueberries with a little vermouth, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and a squeeze of lemon juice. It was so good!! Everyone loved it. My little Italian mother even asked me to make it for New Year’s Day. That’s a huge compliment coming from her.
Thanks again for the recipe!
This makes me so happy. It is a delicious and easy recipe!
Hi Elena
i made the Italian Almond cake….yummy 😋.
I followed the instructions as written… I wasn’t sure of the final outcome … adding the egg whites to the wet ingredients takes work to incorporate the stiff egg whites due to the consistency of the dry ingredients is like an almond paste. Took it to a dinner party and everyone enjoyed it… Delicious!
Yes, that is the only tricky part, but if you trust the process it all works out- ha! I am happy everyone loved it.